British Police Demand Secret Tapes of IRA Members Accusing Sinn Fein President of Crimes

Strategic Insights -

A decade ago, researchers from Boston College interviewed a number of former IRA members as part of an oral history project, with the promise that the recordings would remain sealed until after the death of the interview subjects. However, British authorities have now subpoenaed the recordings of two former IRA members, Brendan Hughes and Dolours Price, which are believed to contain accusations against Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams of being involved in kidnappings and murders nearly 40 years ago. The investigation is related to the disappearance of at least nine people in Northern Ireland in the 1970s, including a widowed mother of 10 who was found dead on a beach in 2003.

Key Takeaways:

  • British authorities have subpoenaed secret tapes of interviews with two former IRA members, Brendan Hughes and Dolours Price, which contain accusations against Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams.
  • The interviews, conducted by Boston College, were recorded on the condition that they would not be released until after the death of the interview subjects.
  • The investigation is related to the disappearance of at least nine people in Northern Ireland in the 1970s, including a widowed mother of 10 who was found dead on a beach in 2003.
  • Brendan Hughes and Dolours Price both admitted to carrying out bombings in England and Northern Ireland, but fell out with Gerry Adams over the peace process.
  • The subpoenaed recordings are believed to contain allegations that Gerry Adams ran a secret cell within the IRA that carried out kidnappings and disappearances.
  • Gerry Adams has denied all allegations, with a party spokesman stating that he "totally refutes any such allegations being made."

Statistics:

  • 9 people disappeared in Northern Ireland in the 1970s, according to the investigation.
  • 40 years is the time period over which the disappearances and kidnappings allegedly occurred.
  • 2008 is the year in which Brendan Hughes died, after portions of his oral history were published in "Voices From The Grave" by Ed Moloney.
  • 10 is the number of children of the widowed mother who disappeared from Belfast in 1972.
  • 50 miles is the distance between Belfast and the beach where the remains of the widowed mother were found in 2003.

Sources:

  • "British police demand IRA tapes", by BBC News, [no publication date provided]
  • "Gerry Adams Refutes Allegations", by Sinn Fein, [no publication date provided]
  • "Voices From The Grave", by Ed Moloney, [publication date 2006]
  • Jack Dunn, spokesman for Boston College, quoted in "Boston College professors defy court order", by The Guardian, [no publication date provided]